Tuesday, September 06, 2011

2011 Summer Vacation

What may not seem like a very far distance to most, we took the plunge in driving 3+ hours (plus a 35min ferry ride) to our vacation destination this summer: Kokanee Creek Provincial Campground in the beautiful West Kootenays. It was a "plunge" b/c our 15 month old Isla is our cry-la, our screech owl, our Ring Wraith (Lord of The Rings, if not familiar), our youngest and most neediest fuzzy duckling. She does not like to travel. Especially when tired. Period. We're hoping next year will bring change for our baby duck, as this destination was a HUGE hit for us all and we hope to make it an annual visit!!! Definately worth the torture we endured allll the way home in our extended cab truck, where the young wraith was mere inches from all ears... anyway, that's that. Onto the pictures!!!!! Kokanee Salmon Spawning Channel, a 5 minute bike ride from our campsite. The kids loved watching the fish so, needless to say, we did this one quite a few times. Daddy and his girls hangin out by the creek. This little boardwalk likely isn't for bikes, however it was a favourite for Aiden b/c you could go "really fast!". It wound up over the creek (spawning channel) and into the woods, only for about 1 minute worth of walking distance. The beach was beautiful! It was about a 5 minute walk from our campsite... warm, shallow water and fine white sand perfect for castles and mermaid legs! The playground was fun but we spent most our time biking and hiking. This was the best nap she had... slept through every noise and bump, which is VERY unlike our light tummy sleeper!! Playing mini Snakes & Ladders in the trailer. A hit! A little fall at the top of one hike. Spirits of adventure lead the way! One family photo that sort of turned out - shocked! Camouflage boy pushing log. Too funny Aiden, you're such a card pal. Happy hikers :) Gluten free pancakes, blueberries & bacon. Mmmmmm! The beautiful Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park (Gibson Lake loop). Taking a break after 20 minutes of "hiking" our lake loop trail. What's a walk if you can't stop to smell the flowers?? Cute little boy pushing very large rock. Funny guy... :) Our campsite! Too close to the washrooms for comfort but at least the kids went by themselves every time they needed to (and we could hear them yell if they needed help)! You win some, you lose some. All in all a georgous campground and we hope to make it an annual event!! One downside was the last half hour of the drive as our oldest two munchkins began feeling sick as we winded (reallllly winded) around the lake road to the ferry point. Crazy curvy!!!!! Georgous park though!!!!! So relaxing. And fun.

1st day of Kindergarten!

Atalie was very excited to wear her new clothes and snap the clips on her new backpack this morning as she headed out the door! She's quite cool about the whole thing - excited but not jumping up and down kind of cool. We buzzed away in the van at 8:19 to take Atalie to school, 9 minute later than I had hoped to leave b/c we had hoped to walk to school! Oh well, there's always tomorow right? :) Attie was thrilled to see that she had her name above a little coat hook for her sweater and backpack right outside her classroom. She was a little shy as she walked into the class but seemed like she had done it before and soon found a spot on the rug by her friend. I could have left at that point without her even noticing but of course I would have noticed so I had to go over for a hug and kiss before sending my little girl out into the real world.... bittersweet. ps. I didn't actually shed a tear, somehow. It's a momentous occasion though. That's for sure.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Summer in one big nutshell!

June was a month around the house and yard... July was packed with birthday parties (1 bowling party for the girl I watch, 1 pirate party for the boy I watch and 1 party for Gramma Dyck!) as well as typical summer fun... August has been flying by, with one (Israelson family) camping trip down, one (Dyck) wedding, one baby shower (for two families) and plenty more summer fun... Moose (Alces) Lake, Whiteswan Provincial Park (half hour SE of our house). Ryan Dyck & Stephanie Pigeon were married August 6th in Okotoks, AB. Indian Battle Park, Lethbridge (post wedding day, before heading home again) My first baby shower cake, for Alena Baltrus and Sofia Huscroft. Sitting on hay bails at Nana & Papa's as we pack to go home. The remainder of summer will include one (Aiden's 4th) birthday party, one final camping trip (likely West Kootenays) and plenty more memories to sort through before beginning a new chapter in fall (Kindergarten for Atalie and a possible, very part-time job for me - to be determined)...

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Isla's 1st Birthday & Festival Fun!

The Annual Cranbrook Childrens Festival was held today so we made our first appearance! The kids had been looking forward to it all week and could hardly wait to take part in all the food, face painting, hair tinting, train rides, bouncy castles, music, crafts and more... so we did it all! We made sure to be there as soon as it opened up so we could beat the line ups, as neither Kevin or I have patience to wait for hours amongst herds of people. "Crazy Hair" and Face Painting!! (Aiden is our Tiger) (Atalie is our "Beautiful" Butterfly) (Isla is our cute Kitty cat) Car painting!!! --- wait, whaaat??? --- Yup. They got to go nuts on this van, as well as a huge canvas type board, which I plan to frame and put up in their room :) Decorating cookies (post hotdogs) ! My almost 80's kids. Way too funny.... they have added their new biking padding (as they will BOTH! be attempting to ride w/o training wheels this summer!!!) to the crazy-hair and face-paint. Kevin FINALLY found a nice, well-fitting, Canucks t-shirt in town today. So here it is! Isla and I stop for a birthday picture before cake and gifts :) Isla opens her baby-doll from Nana and Papa (also has a new swing in the backyard, which she loves). First bite... ...mid-cake ...post cake! Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Isla - videos

So for some reason I was only able to add one video. I'll try again in a new post for the other. Fishy Face:

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Growing up all too fast!

These three amigos are growing up so fast!!! Isla turns 1 in three weeks, Aiden is now (finally!) potty trained, Atalie starts Kindergarten in the fall.... what more could possibly happen at this rate?!? Well, sad as it may be to pass by such cherished, sweet memories of their youngest years, I am greatful for their health, their hearts and their hilarity (is that a word??) that continues to fill our home and hearts! Here are some recent pics, taken in April: Kevin is making Van-fans of even the most innocent! Haha :) Sweet.... ... mischievious! Our first bike ride of the season!! We went on another "treasure hunt" (geocache search) and exchanged a couple gifts in this one... Koda is now the lucky recipient of a bear bell. Not so sure she thinks so. HA! Atalie finds the geocache :) Isla discovers grass!!! Wasn't a hit the first time... or second time! Aiden checks out the bikes ;) Hee hee... This boy LOVES swings. "Mommy can you push me on the swing???" How can I not?!? This boy is bath crazy! Mom and Dad I. came to visit while Moms foot was still on the mend... Atalie had to try on her "leg", which fit like a glove (haha!)!! Isla found another friend - Papa!!! :)